Ideas For A Perfect Berkeley Summer: Activities, Day Trips, Festivals, & Sweets
If you’re staying on campus for summer classes or a summer internship, it can feel very quiet compared to the hustle and bustle you’re used to during the fall and spring semesters at UC Berkeley. But as a Bay Area local, I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Berkeley these past two summers, and I can say there are so many cool things to do during the summer months! So, if you’re staying near campus and looking for fun activities, I’ve put together this list for you.
Activities Around Berkeley
Strawberry Canyon Pool: Berkeley summers can get very hot, so why not go for a swim to cool down? Strawberry Canyon Pool is a campus pool that’s only open during the summertime! It’s nestled in the canyon right above the stadium, so you can experience great views, summer camp vibes, and a relaxing swim all in one! Entry is free for Berkeley students, but make sure to check online for updated hours. If you’re looking to challenge yourself a bit more and swim laps in a deeper pool, Spieker Pool may also be open during the summer.
Rachel (left) and her sister (right) at Lake Anza’s beach.
Go for a Swim in Lake Anza: One of the most unique summer experiences you can have is swimming in Lake Anza! The lake is open from May through September and is a great way to cool off with stunning views of Tilden Regional Park. There’s even a sandy beach where you can relax and tan. Tickets to swim are just $5, but entry to the park itself is free if you would prefer a scenic walk around the lake. Hours and information can be found on the Lake Anza website.
🌳✨ Escape busy campus life and find your chill at Lake Anza in Tilden Regional Park! Just a short drive from UC Berkeley, this nature gem has it all – hiking trails, scenic views, and a beautiful lake. Whether you’re chasing sunsets, picnicking with friends, swimming, or getting lost in the greenery, Lake Anza is the definitely an underrated hang out spot. 🌿
#ucberkeley #ucberkeleylife #berkeley #collegelife #bayarea #campuslife #tildenpark #lakeanza
Rachel & her family kayaking in the Berkeley Marina.
Berkeley Marina: There’s plenty for everyone to do at the Berkeley Marina. The UC Aquatic Center offers courses and rentals for kayaking, sailing, and paddleboarding! It’s also just a great place to soak up some beautiful views of the Bay and enjoy a cool breeze.
Did you know that UC Berkeley students can kayak, paddle board, and more in the Berkeley Marina for a free or discounted rate with @ucberkeleyrecwell ? 🛶✨ Check out stunning Bay views, get your workout in, and make memories you’ll never forget!
Not a student? Don’t worry! Non-students can still sign up for excursions and rentals.
#BerkeleyBucketList #CalAdventures #ucberkeleylife #ucberkeley #bayarea #collegelife #berkeley #collegecampus
Rachel at the Downtown Berkeley Farmers’ Market.
Berkeley Farmers’ Markets: If you’re like me, you always want to go to the farmers’ market, but between sporting events, clubs, and classes, you never get around to it. With some extra time during the summer, it’s the perfect opportunity to go and enjoy some fresh fruit and pastries, and to treat yourself to some flowers. Between the three year-round Berkeley Farmers’ Markets in Downtown Berkeley, North Berkeley, and South Berkeley, you can definitely find one that works for you.
The Big C hiking trail’s swing.
Take a Hike: There are several scenic trails in Berkeley that you can enjoy if you want to get active this summer. More information about the specific trails can be found on my Take a Hike blog.
The UC Botanical Gardens in full bloom during the summer.
Visit the Botanical Gardens: I always say that everyone should go to the UC Botanical Gardens at least once every season because there’s always something new in bloom. It’s free entry for students with your Cal 1 ID Card. Don’t forget to visit the Redwood Grove just across the street while you’re there!
🌿✨ Come with us to the UC Botanical Garden @ucbgarden at Berkeley! Did you know it’s home to over 10,000 different plant species from around the world? 🌺🌍 Let’s explore this living museum together!
#UCBotanicalGarden #ucberkeley #ucberkeleylife #bayarea #berkeley
Festivals & Events
Rachel and the Rally Committee walking in the SF Pride parade.
SF Pride: One of my fondest memories from my freshman year is walking in the San Francisco Pride Parade with my friends from the Rally Committee. The parade is usually the last weekend in June (this year it’s June 29th, 2025), and any Cal community member can walk in the parade for free if you register with the Cal Alumni Association.
Rachel & her family at the Downtown Berkeley Juneteenth Festival.
Berkeley Juneteenth Festival: Last summer, I attended the Berkeley Juneteenth Festival with my family. Regardless of your background, this event is for the whole community to come together and celebrate! There was plenty to do for the whole family, including live music, delicious food, shop vendors, and even games for children. It’s also a great way to support local Black-owned businesses. (This year, the festival takes place on Sunday, June 15th, 2025 at Alcatraz Street and Adeline Street.)
4th Street Creative Communal & Brunchfest: There’s always a fun event happening on Fourth Street in North West Berkeley, like the Creative Communal or Brunchfest. Explore all that Fourth Street has to offer, including shops, festivals, and sales.
Day Trips
Maybe after a long semester you’re just ready to get out of Berkeley for a bit. Luckily, there are plenty of gems in the Bay Area for you to discover on a fun outing or day trip. Here are my favorites:
From left to right: Blue Heron Lake, Golden Gate Park; Strawberry Hill, Golden Gate Park.
Golden Gate Park: No matter what you’re interested in, Golden Gate Park in San Francisco has something for you. There are art museums, parks, botanical gardens, viewpoints, and often live performances. My personal favorites are the de Young Museum, the California Academy of Sciences, and Blue Heron Lake (with Strawberry Hill in the middle). The park is a place I return to summer after summer to explore new parts. You can get here from Berkeley by taking the BART into San Francisco and then catching a connecting bus to take you to the park.
The Sausalito Marina.
Sausalito: Sausalito is probably my favorite place in the Bay. I can’t get enough of this adorable seaside town. It has plenty of shops and galleries with hand-crafted pieces, great food, beaches and marinas, and beautiful views of San Francisco from across the Golden Gate Bridge. It can be a bit challenging to get to if you don’t have a car, but it is definitely still doable with public transportation and absolutely worth the journey in my opinion! You can take the BART into San Francisco, and then catch the 130 bus going towards San Rafael.
Treat Yourself!
Last but not least, you’ll definitely be in the mood for a refreshing summer treat. Here are my 5-star summer sweet treats:
WowWow Lemonade: Relatively new to Berkeley, WowWow Lemonade has an extensive list of lemonade flavors. Located on Telegraph, it’s the perfect refresher for a hot day.
Yogurt Park: A true Berkeley classic. You just can’t go wrong with this delicious frozen yogurt.
Bunz: A bit of an underrated location here, but in my opinion, Bunz milkshakes are some of the best I’ve ever tasted. (Thank me later.).
Endless Summer Sweets: Just as the name suggests, Endless Summer Sweets is the perfect spot for a summer sweet treat. Located in Downtown Berkeley, the shop offers banana splits, funnel cakes, caramel apples, and cotton candy, as well as popcorn, hot dogs, and nachos—everything you need to make you feel like you’re at a summer festival.
Cream: Finally, located on Telegraph, Cream has the best ice cream sandwiches which you can make from brownies or a variety of cookie flavors.
Enjoy Your Berkeley Summer
There’s truly something for everyone to enjoy in Berkeley or around the Bay Area. It’s also a great time to explore, maybe you’ll find your new favorite corner of the Bay. Regardless, I hope this blog gives you a good starting point. Have a great summer!
Rachel Holmes, Class of 2026, is majoring in media studies and minoring in theater and performance studies.
Want More?
- Discover summer internship opportunities.
- See what other Golden Bears do during summer.
- Spend a summer studying abroad.